1/11/2013 3:15 PM PST

Breaking News

Kobe Bryant is NOT getting divorced.

TMZ broke the story ... Vanessa -- through her lawyer, disso-queen Laura Wasser -- filed to end her marriage in December, 2011. Several months later ... Kobe -- in an attempt to win her back -- deeded over his interest in their 3 Newport Beach mansions.

Since she filed, Vanessa and Kobe were on-again, off-again like high school students.

But in the last month ... they got very tight. A turning point seemed to be the 12-12-12 Hurricane Sandy relief concert at Madison Square Garden in NYC, when the two left arm-in-arm. They spent New Year's Eve together, were spotted at lunch and have pretty much been inseparable.

There have been reports that Kobe is getting back with Vanessa because it's cheaper to keep her ... but that's just not true. Fact is ... we've checked property records and Vanessa still owns 2 of the Newport Beach mansions -- she just sold the third for $3.2 mil. We don't know for sure, but it seems like Kobe may have signed a post-nup, giving Vanessa more financial leverage in the relationship.

So now, Kobe, Vanessa and the 2 kids are one big happy family again. Congrats.

12/13/2012 6:47 AM PST

EXCLUSIVE

Kobe Bryant and his estranged wife Vanessa didn't appear too estranged last night ... strolling around NYC together last night arm in arm ... but sources tell TMZ, it's a different story behind the scenes.

Kobe and Vanessa looked as couply as a couple could look on their way out of the 12-12-12 concert at Madison Square Garden ... even sharing a ride home.

Of course, in public ... Kobe and Vanessa appear to be well along the road to reconciliation ever since she filed for divorce in 2011 -- kissing in public, lunching together and now going on concert dates.

10/17/2012 3:33 PM PDT

Another positive sign for Kobe Bryant's marriage -- the NBA star took his estranged wife Vanessa out on a romantic lunch date today ... and they totally SPLIT A SANDWICH & SOUP COMBO MEAL!!!

The two rolled in to the PDM Bakery and Cafe in Newport Beach, CA this afternoon looking and acting very coupley -- despite the fact their divorce is still pending.

Sources tell us ... Kobe and Vanessa split the Tuscan chicken sandwich (served hot) and tortilla soup combo meal -- and washed it down with a pair of iced teas.

We're told the Bryants hung out at the restaurant for about an hour ... and couldn't have been nicer.

Vanessa filed for divorce back in December ... but it seems like they're all but reconciled these days. Not only did Vanessa support Kobe in London during the Olympics, she also attended the Lakers pre-season game last night.

6/12/2012 7:00 AM PDT

EXCLUSIVE

Vanessa Bryant will NOT sign documents to make her divorce final ... at least for now ... because TMZ has learned, she and Kobe are working on a full reconciliation.

We've learned Kobe and Vanessa are trying to work out the issues that caused her to file for divorce back in December. They spend a lot of time together but he has not officially moved back in with her.

Under California law, Vanessa has to wait 6 months before she can file final docs making the divorce official. The 6-month mark hits this weekend, so Vanessa could end the marriage as early as Monday ... but we know she won't.

Now here's the deal. We're told Kobe and Vanessa have had their ups and downs since she filed for divorce ... and there's nothing stopping her from filing final divorce papers at some point in the future if things don't work out.

One more thing. If Kobe and Vanessa end up living together ... it will be in one of her 3 mansions, because he signed over all the deeds to her while they were working out divorce details.

5/13/2012 6:30 AM PDT

After finally conquering the Denver Nuggets, Kobe Bryant was greeted outside the locker room by his two daughters ... and estranged wife Vanessa Bryant ... the latest photo to fuel rumors of a possible reconciliation.

As TMZ first reported, the pair shared a post-game kiss on Valentine's Day (see below) but hit up a Los Angeles Kings game last month as "really good friends."

We're told Kobe would love to reconcile, but for now ... the divorce is still on.

4/16/2012 2:50 PM PDT

Exclusive Details

Just two months after Kobe Bryant and his estranged wife Vanessashared a Valentine's Day kiss (below) -- fueling hopes of a reconciliation -- the two hit up the L.A. Kings playoff game with their daughters ... as "really good friends."

Sources close to Kobe tell TMZ ... the divorce is still on ... but Kobe is adamant the two are "really good friends" who still love each other.

As TMZ first reported, Kobe has been "aggressively" trying to save his marriage.

We're told Vanessa was open to the idea of a reconciliation ... but as of now, the divorce is still expected to move forward with Vanessa set to walk away with all three of the Bryant's Newport mansions PLUS $75 million in cash.

2/20/2012 7:30 AM PST

Vanessa Bryant and her kids were in New York City over the weekend, looking for a big ol' apartment ... TMZ has learned.

Real estate sources tell us ... Vanessa won't say if she's packing up and moving from California -- but she definitely wants to buy a place in NYC.

It's not exactly a sign that she's reconciling with Kobe Bryant, even though the two were kissing after the Lakers game on Valentine's Day.

Vanessa now owns 3 estates in Newport Beach, after Kobe transferred title to her as part of their divorce -- which has not yet become final. And, as we first reported, Vanessa will score a total of $75 mil in the settlement.

As for whether Vanessa would move away from California ... we're told she thinks Lakers fans and Lakers wives don't like her -- at least that's the way she perceives it.

No doubt ... if Vanessa did move, it would royally screw Kobe up. He still loves her, wants her back, and doesn't want his kids to live across the country.

2/19/2012 1:00 AM PST

Kobe Bryant is making a full court press to save his marriage ... and has sworn up and down to Vanessa he will never stray again if she takes him back.

Sources connected with the couple tell TMZ ... Kobe has "aggressively" pursued Vanessa over the last three weeks, and she's been receptive. We're told Vanessa tends to believe Kobe, but still isn't sure the marriage can be resurrected.

And then there's the subject of lavish gifts. We're told Kobe has given Vanessa a very expensive piece of jewelry. We don't know the price, nor do we know how it compares to the $4 million ring she scored after Kobe's infamous dalliance a few years back.

As for whether they will drop the divorce, we're told they are working on a reconciliation. Several sources very familiar with the couple told us at the time Vanessa filed legal docs not to be surprised if the papers are withdrawn ... because they both really love each other.